Caledonia Argus

Courtney sentenced to 99 months after threatening officer

Posted: 5/27/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

The man who threatened Caledonia Police Officer James Stemper with a gun has been sentenced to 99 months in prison. Antoine Courtney, Brooklyn Center, MN, was sentenced May 23 in District Court.

The sentence stems from two separate convictions. In April, Courtney was found guilty of second degree assault and possessing a firearm with a removed serial number. Charges were brought after a November 2001 incident in which local law enforcement were dispatched to the Gjere Avenue apartments after receiving a report that Courtney had violated an order for protection.

Courtney attempted to flee officers and, pursued by Officer Stemper, pulled out a handgun and aimed it in Stemperís direction. With the aid of Houston County Deputy Linda Coffield and CPD Officer Heath Dienger, Officer Stemper was successful in disarming and arresting Courtney.

In March, Courtney was convicted of second degree assault, terroristic threats, two counts of domestic assault, and criminal damage to property relating to a domestic incident at the same apartment in September 2001.

Judge Robert Benson handed out the 99-month sentence last week after hearing testimony from relatives who extolled Courtney as a father figure and a family breadwinner.

Courtney faced a maximum penalty of 24 1/2 years imprisonment as a result of both convictions. With good behavior, Courtney could be released from prison in 66 months.

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